Serum copper oxidase activity (coeruloplasmin) in chronic pancreatitis: inverse correlation with pancreatic exocrine...

Serum copper oxidase activity (coeruloplasmin, ferroxidase, I, EC 1.16.3.1) and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) were estimated in 43 patients with chronic pancreatitis; total serum copper was also measured in 23 patients. Pancreatic exocrine function was assessed in all patients and compared with the respective copper oxidase activities. The following results emerged: (1) there was a strong positive linear relationship between total serum copper and serum copper oxidase activity; (2) in 34 patients CRP was undetectable Twenty-six patients were untreated and eight had received pancreatic extracts for variable periods of time. In the untreated patients there was an inverse correlation between serum copper oxidase activity and pancreatic exocrine function; (3) in the eight treated patients serum cooper oxidase activity was less than in untreated patients; (4) in three patients who were assessed before and six months after administration of pancreatic extracts serum copper oxidase activity showed a significant reduction with treatment; (5) nine patients with elevated CRP values also had raised serum copper oxidase activities but there was no correlation between these two serum constituents. The rise in serum copper which occurs in uncomplicated and untreated chronic pancreatitis does not represent an acute phase reaction. Our results provide further evidence that the pancreas assists in regulating copper metabolism in man.